Broncos' running game providing balance

Ground attack ranks 20th in NFL

ENGLEWOOD -- An offense with Peyton Manning taking snaps doesn't need to lead the NFL in rushing. But how much is good enough?

How efficient and productive must the running game become to keep opposing defenses honest and enable the Broncos to make a deep run in the playoffs?

"I think any quarterback will tell you that his best friend is a good running game," Manning said.

The 2006 Indianapolis Colts, who rode the throwing arm of Manning to a Super Bowl victory, also had a 1,000-yard rusher in Joseph Addai (1,082). But even with a big season from Addai, the Colts ranked just 18th in rushing.

Interestingly, the Broncos (10-3) are in a similar position, ranking 20th in rushing (106.1) entering Sunday's game at Baltimore.

"If you look at the offenses that Peyton has been a part of over the years, they have always been able to run the ball," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said this week on a teleconference.

While the Broncos won't be confused with the ground-churning attacks of San Francisco or Minnesota, they stand 7-1 when rushing for 90 or more yards. Denver has averaged 113.2 rushing yards in its 10 victories, just 82.3 in its three losses.

Moreno is averaging 91 rushing yards for three games since being thrust into the lineup after Willis McGahee sustained a knee injury Nov.

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18 against San Diego.

"That keeps the defensive guessing," Broncos coach John Fox said of the importance of a strong running game. "I think it's important that you be able to do both as an offense to be successful. We do our best every week - our staff, our players - to try to create that balance."

If Moreno can approach 100 yards Sunday in Baltimore, the Broncos should be in good shape to extend their winning streak to nine games.

Broncos defensive tackle Justin Bannan played four seasons (2006-09) on Ravens defenses that were particularly stingy against the run.

"Stopping the run, first of all it has to be an attitude; it's a certain mentality," Bannan said of playing with Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata, Ed Reed and others. "But you also have to have the guys that are able to do that. The Ravens have had those guys."

Injuries and age seemingly have caught up to the Ravens, however. Baltimore has yielded 100 or more rushing yards in eight games and 150 or more yards on four occasions. Lewis hasn't played since injuring his triceps in the sixth game, against Dallas. Cornerback Lardarius Webb was lost to a knee injury against the Cowboys. Suggs and Ngata also have missed time. But the Broncos know the Ravens will make stuffing the running game a priority on Sunday.

"At the end of the day stopping the run is a simple truth with this game," Bannan said. "Every defense will tell you it starts and stops with stopping the run, and you go from there."

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